Super Salvation Saturday-Bonus 2

Here's another entry into the Army of Stars series that I didn't own before the 2025 Sharity Season began. I count myself extremely lucky to have found four more entries into this series in this year alone. These things are pretty rare to begin with and I managed to find four new ones. I must be the luckiest guy in the world right at the moment. And it wasn't like I found a whole big pile of these records and I grabbed the ones I needed. No, the only records I found were ones that I didn't have. I found three of them at a single record store, then I found a fourth one a week later in a different store. I consider it to be a bit of a Christmas miracle. This is Special Christmas Program (Salvation Army, Army Of Stars, Western Territorial Headquarters, Public Relations Department, CPM 12-2548, Mono, 1966).

Same as the earlier post, I welcome my friend Buster from Big10InchRecord.blogspot.com who can tell us more about this record than I possibly can. Go give him a visit and tell him Ernie sent you. Here's what he had to say about this record:

The Army of Stars for 1966 were again chosen from the world of opera, as was the tradition for the Salvation Army.

But first, let's talk about the big name for the record, who was the biggest name in Christmas programming - along with Rudolph, Frosty and Santa himself, of course: Bing Crosby. Unlike the 1963 program, where Vincent Price introduced the record, Der Bingle provides Christmas greetings at the end of the album's first side.

As for the singers, on the back cover, the Salvation Army helpfully provided some notion of who the various participants were, but let me add a few comments.

Joshua Hecht

Bass Joshua Hecht was appearing with the San Francisco Opera and the New York City Opera at the time this record was made. He also sang at the Met and in many European opera houses. For this program he performed the Albert Hay Malotte setting of "The Lord's Prayer."

Reri Grist

Reri Grist - who is still with us - had a fascinating career. The soprano appeared both in musicals and in opera when young, including the role of Consuelo in West Side Story, where she introduced "Somewhere." But she soon was to be in demand in opera. She was with the San Francisco Opera at the time of this record, while also appearing in major European houses. Also, she had started her Met career earlier in 1966, and remained associated with that company for the next 13 years. She sings "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," a spiritual by Robert MacGimsey that dates from 1934.

Sándor Kónya

Sándor Kónya was a Hungarian tenor who appeared all over the world, including in San Francisco and the Met, where he was a member of the troupe for 14 years. He was renowned both in German and Italian opera roles. For this record, he performed the "Ingemisco" from Verdi's Requiem. Not exactly a Christmas classic, to be sure.

Gwen Curatilo

Soprano Gwen Curatilo also was associated with the San Francisco company when this record was made, but soon would move into teaching, becoming head of the California State University, Chico opera program for many years. She sings the hymn "Ho, Ev’ry One that Thirsteth."

In addition to these performers, Rex Koury and the orchestra present his instrumental "Christmas Morn" and the Azusa Pacific College Choir sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

Thanks, Buster! And now, here's the track list and the download link for you.

1. Army Of Stars Orchestra With Bing Crosby-Army Of Stars Theme
2. Joshua Hecht-The Lord's Prayer
3. Reri Grist-Sweet Little Jesus Boy
4. Sándor Kónya-The Ingemisco (From Requiem)
5. Bing Crosby With Rex Koury And Army Of Stars Orchestra-Christmas Greetings
6. Rex Koury & Army Of Stars Orchestra-Christmas Morn
7. Gwen Curatilo With Azusa Pacific College Choir-Ho, Everyone That Thirsteth, Come Ye To The Waters
8. Azusa Pacific College Choir-Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem

MEGA